Unlike their red and roe deer cousins, fallow deer are not considered truly native to Britain.
Their introduction, albeit shrouded in the mists of time, is usually attributed to the Normans, who brought them to England as quarry for la chasse, though there is some evidence that the Romans might have imported some deer here in the fifth century AD.
But the history of fallow deer in the British Isles goes back much further than that, to 120,000 years ago, before the last great ice age. The climate then was hotter than it is today, and the fauna included rhinos, straight-tusked elephants, wild horses, lions, hyenas and giant deer.
How big are fallow deer?
Male fallow deer are bigger than females, weighing 46-80kg compared to females weighing 35-52kg (female). Nose to tail males measure 1.5-1.8m, while females measure 1.4-1.6m.
What do fallow deer look like?
Fallow deer are usually fawn with white spots, although they can go darker and greyer in winter. Buck has part-flattened, palmate antlers; both sexes have a long tail with a black central stripe.
Where do fallow deer live
Fallow deers favour broadleaf woodland, conifer plantations, parks and fields.
What do fallow deer eat?
Fallow deer mainly eat grass and herbs, but can also eat foliage and nuts in winter.
When does the fallow deer rut take place?
September to early November
Fallow deer lifecycle
Fallow doe gives birth to a fawn (occasionally twins) in June or July. Young suckle for up to nine months. Bucks take seven years to mature: does can breed in first year.
How long do fallow deer live for?
According to the Mammal Society male fallow deer live to 8-10 years, while females live for12-16 years.
6 fallow deer tracking signs to look for
Pits and scrapes
The defining features of fallow buck territories; up to 2m in diameter. Typically located near deer paths - or racks. Scraping activity peaks September-October.
Racks
Well-worn tracks created by deer scrambling up or down steep banks. Often in matching pairs on opposite sides of footpaths and lanes
Fewmets
The traditional term for deer dung, which can be either a scattering of small droppings, 2-3cm in length, or a single cluster resembling a knobbly hand grenade.
Gnawed bark
All deer gnaw bark to some extent, leaving vertical tooth marks. This is bad news for foresters, though not all trees are targeted.
Thrashed vegetation
In common with red and sika stags, fallow bucks use low tree trunks and branches to scrape the velvet off their antlers in late August-early September. During the build-up to the rut proper, they also thrash vegetation to intimidate rivals.
Browse-line
The browsing of fallow and other big deer leaves trees with a well-defined browse line 1.5-2m above ground.
